Hawks program takes players to national heights

Nathan Grobins, who was himself trained by acclaimed Russian goaltender… (SUBMITTED PHOTO )

June 25, 2012|By Maureen Boyce, Special Correspondent

For area youth ice hockey players, the desire to be nationally recognized no longer requires relocation to programs in traditional hockey strongholds up north.

They can be scouted by major college hockey programs right in their own backyard.

The Palm Beach Hawks Junior Hockey Club fields two teams, with entries in both the Eastern Junior Hockey League South and the Empire Junior Hockey League. Tryouts for both squads are ongoing.

A Tier III Junior A program, EJHL South is a seven-member league made up of teams from Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. As an added bonus for players, Palm Beach's EJHL South team is also an affiliate of the Empire program, a Tier I Junior A circuit in the northeast United States.

EJHL South will present two showcases during the 2012-'13 season, exclusively for member teams and Empire (southern area) entries. One of those attractions — the Winter Showcase — will be hosted by the Hawks Dec. 14-16 at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs.

Tim Kyrkostas, director of the Hawks' organization, said the Winter Showcase will be well-attended by scouts and coaches. Both Palm Beach teams will also participate in three EJHL showcases outside the state.

While the Hawks recruit internationally — its EJHL South squad already includes a player from Sweden — Kyrkostas is eager to include local talent.

Several local players have already received positive evaluations and are playing for the Hawks in the Summer Elite Hockey League, which began earlier this month at the SkateZone Ice and Inline Center in Lake Worth.

"My goal is to get kids to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) ranks," said Kyrkostas, adding that those interested in becoming Hawks' players must have good character, good grades in school, a solid work ethic and hockey skills.